Suspenders.



H. H. SMALL.

SUSPENDEES.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV.4,'1808.

967,454. Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

Q/Vituaoua elttczwugs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. SMALL, .0 YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

'SUSIPENDERS.

Specification oflLetters Patent.

.PatcntedAug. .16, .1910.

Application-filed November 4,1908. iserial No. 460,996.

the same.

The invention relates to suspenders and more particularly to the class of shoulder straps for supporting trousers or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a pair of shoulder straps each of which consists of a web of double thickness throughout its length.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted so as to accommodate various breadths of shoulder and lengths of back for difierent wearers without complicating the construction.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the two straps may move independently of each other in such a manner as to permit the greatest degree of flexibility with respect to the wearers movement without interfering with the utility of the device.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction in general, of a pair of shoulder straps, each of which comprises a length of webbing doubled upon itself, a flexible connection between the straps, and attaching and adjusting devices carried thereon.

The invention further consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically set forth in the claim.

In the drawings :Figure 1 represents a pair of suspenders embodying the invention with the back members in one position. Fig. 2 is a similar detail view of a portion of the back members showing a different adjustment. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing an adjustment of the straps in substantially parallel relation.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen, that the device consists of a pair of shoulder straps 10 comprising a length of webbing, preferably elastic, which is doubled upon itself throughout its length, the ends being held together by means of stitching 11 which alsosecuresback tabs 12 of any desired character to these ends. Intermediate the 'ends at points adjacent the usual crossing point of an ordinary pair of suspenders the double web is secured together in any desired manner, here shown as by rivets 13 although rows of stitching may equally well be used. A flexible strand 14 serves to con nect the pair of webs so that the same may not become detached in packing and at the same time serves to hold the back sections flexibly united to each other.

The straps 10 of the suspenders are provided with the usual buckles or clasps for the purpose of holding the suspenders in adjusted position. Further the said straps carry attachments 16 for the front buttons of a pair of trousers.

It will be obvious that by this simple construction the suspenders may be worn by crossing the straps 10 as indicated in Fig. 1 in the drawings. The crossing of the straps is accomplished as shown by passing one of the straps 10 between the two thicknesses of the other strap below the point of the strand attachment 14:. This strand attachment has its ends disposed between the plies of the shoulder straps 10 and is held in place by the rivets 13 or other means used to join said plies. Furthermore it is apparent that when the straps are crossed in a manner as indicated in Fig. 1 the user may if he desires withdraw one of the straps 10 between the webbing of the other strap by simply drawing it endwise from between the plies of the said other strap so that both straps will be arranged in parallel relation to each other as shown in Fig. 3 in the drawings.

Now should the wearer desire to use the suspenders in a manner as shown in Fig. 2 the straps 10 are shifted so that one strap will cross the other, one over the other.

It will be apparent that by means of this construction of suspenders great flexibility of adjustment is permitted. For instance, if a person of large size and broad width of back or waist desires to use the suspenders, the back portion thereof is adjusted either as shown in Fig. l or 2 and the straps are shortened or lengthened as may be desired.

If a person of small size and narrow width of back desires to use the suspenders the back is adjusted as shown in Fig. 3 and the straps when adjusted in this manner will enable a very tall person to use the suspenders with comfort. This adjustment may also be used if preferred in warm weather. When the suspenders is thus adjusted the flexible strand 14; permits the straps to move absolutely independent of each other and also to overcome the possibility of the said straps slipping from over the shoulders of a wearer. In any one of these positions or adjustments the extreme flexibility of the suspenders permits the wearer to bend or stoop and no matter in what position his body may be placed the strain upon the suspender buttons remains uniform, thus insuring the very important point of preventing the buttons from being torn off by increase of the pull upon them.

What is claimed is:

The herein described suspenders comprising a pair of shoulder straps, each formed 0 a spaced points and a flexible connecting element having its ends disposed between the plies of the said shoulder straps, and attached thereto by the means employed to connect the plies of said straps together.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY H. SMALL.

Witnesses:

V W. H. BRANDT,

D. M. RINEHART.

pair of plies connected together at 2 

